Trains offer a handy and pleasant way to travel. Indian Railways aims for top service, comfort, efficiency, and speed. Now, booking tickets via the IRCTC portal is a top choice. But if seats are full at booking, the portal shows different ticket statuses like RAC. Ever wondered what RAC status or RAC in train travel means?
What does RAC in a train booking mean?
Indian Railways offers a ticket type called Reservation Against Cancellation or RAC. An RAC ticket means the passenger is on a waiting list. RAC assures travel but not a berth. Indian Railways often splits RAC seats between two passengers. This means you might share a seat and not get a berth to sleep.
Let’s take an example for clarity. A sleeper coach has 50 seats. 40 are for confirmed tickets and 10 for RAC tickets. If a person books the 41st ticket, they get an RAC ticket. This ticket assures travel. But a full berth is only possible if one of the first 40 cancels. Then the RAC ticket becomes a confirmed ticket and the person gets the seat.
But if none of the first 40 cancels, the traveler will travel with an RAC seat. They might have to share it with another RAC ticket holder.
Is it good to book RAC ticket
It’s better to buy a RAC ticket than a wait-listed ticket like GNWL or RLWL. Wait-listed tickets don’t guarantee a seat, not even a shared one.
A RAC ticket is smarter as it gives at least a shared seat. If a confirmed seat is cancelled, RAC ticket holders get first preference for the empty seat. Wait-listed tickets get a seat only after all RAC tickets get seats. So, if a confirmed ticket isn’t available, go for a RAC ticket.
Confirmation chances of RAC Ticket
A RAC ticket holder can get a confirmed seat in a few situations. One is when a confirmed seat passenger cancels last minute. Another is when a quota is unsold. Or when a confirmed ticket holder gets an upgrade based on upper class seat availability.
In rare cases, confirmed tickets might be cancelled but your RAC ticket stays unconfirmed. Don’t worry in this case, just wait. RAC status updates only after Indian Railways updates the coach chart. If you’re still confused and you’re on the train, contact the TT. They can guide you to get your confirmed seat.
Which is better RAC or WL in train?
In short, a waitlisted ticket is less good than a RAC ticket. A RAC ticket guarantees a seat, even if shared. But if your ticket has GNWL or RLWL status, you’re on the waiting list.
You can access the coach with a waitlisted ticket, but a seat isn’t guaranteed. You can board the train, but a seat isn’t sure. These tickets don’t offer extra benefits over a RAC ticket.
If a confirmed reservation is cancelled, a passenger with RAC status gets priority boarding. But waitlisted tickets are considered only after all RAC holders get a confirmed ticket. On Indian Railway, a RAC ticket is always better than a waitlisted one.
RAC Ticket Booking FAQs
When are RAC tickets confirmed?
Indian Railways tries to put all tickets on one PNR in the same place. So, you might sit together. But your tickets’ status depends on cancellations. RAC tickets are confirmed if there’s a cancellation.
What are the rules for RAC tickets?
As per IRCTC rules, a RAC ticket means you have a confirmed seat on the train but you’re on a berth waitlist. IRCTC says RAC tickets let you travel on the train, but they don’t guarantee a berth.
Which is better, WL or RAC?
How many RAC tickets get confirmed?
You can usually travel with a RAC ticket, even if you share a seat. If the ticket isn’t confirmed or there are no seats, two people get Side Lower Berth Seats under the RAC Quota to share.
When do RAC tickets get confirmed?
RAC tickets get confirmed if someone cancels their ticket. So, ticket confirmation depends on cancellations. Indian Railways tries to seat all tickets with the same PNR in the same place.
Can I cancel a RAC ticket and get a refund?
You can book and cancel IRCTC RAC tickets. You can cancel RAC tickets until 30 minutes before the train leaves. But refunds aren’t allowed after the departure time.
Do online RAC tickets get canceled?
Hope this information on the RAC ticket has been helpful to you. Remember to use the IRCTC portal for safer online booking.
